Bredenkamp will be missed at Epiphany

Miss B, as Patricia Bredenkamp was known, was a constant presence at Epiphany Catholic School, Coon Rapids, for some 20 years where she was associate principal.

Patricia Bredenkamp

Bredenkamp, 59, Coon Rapids, died unexpectedly Sept. 24.

According to Principal Laurie Jennrich, Bredenkamp had been having some breathing problems which she thought was related to her asthma issues, but she had been working at her job at the school the prior week.

Funeral service for Bredenkamp took place Monday (Oct. 1) at Church of the Epiphany, Coon Rapids.

The service began a 3 p.m. after school had finished for the day, so students and their families could attend.

“The church was very full,” Jennrich said. “There were so many people.”

Besides being assistant principal, Bredenkamp was a substitute teacher, handled all activities programs from athletics to Destination Imagination, spelling bee and Math Masters and worked very closely with the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), she said.

In addition, Bredenkamp was in charge of the student testing, student discipline and busing/transportation, Jennrich said.

Bredenkamp’s memory was honored at a planned school pep fest Sept. 28 for the main school fund-raiser – the marathon, which takes place tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 6).

It was designated a pink out of uniform day and following the pep fest, all students and staff went outside to release decorated pink balloons in memory of “Miss B.”

According to Jennrich, Bredenkamp was called “Lady Pink” because she would lead all pep fests complete with pink wig and pink boa.

“She was a constant presence in the school and will be missed very much,” Jennrich said.

“She has touched so many families in her 20 years at Epiphany.”

Bredenkamp’s duties are being spread among other staff members, including herself, Jennrich said.

“Everyone is stepping up,” she said. “We need time to grieve.”

Bredenkamp received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University, a master’s degree in K-12 administration from St. Cloud State University and a Ed.S in school administration from the University of St. Thomas.

She is survived by her father, Raymond; sister, Christine; brothers, Michael and Ted (Jeanne); nephew, Samuel; and niece, Kaitlin.